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| Seminole County, Florida | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Florida |
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 Florida's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | April 25, 1913 |
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| Seat | Sanford |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
345 sq mi (894 km²) 308 sq mi (798 km²) 37 sq mi (96 km²), 10.63% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
365,196 1,186/sq mi (458/km²) |
| Website: www.seminolecountyfl.gov | |
Seminole County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and part of the Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). It is located in the central part of Florida between Orlando to the south and DeLand/Daytona Beach to the north. As of 2000, the population was 365,196. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the 2006 population was 406,875[1]. Its county seat is Sanford, Florida.1
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History
On July 21, 1821, there were two counties that formed Florida: Escambia to the west and St. Johns to the east. In 1824, the area to the south of St. Johns County became Mosquito County, and Enterprise was named the County Seat. This large county was renamed Orange County in 1845 when Florida became a state. For the next 70 years, Orange County would split into numerous other counties. Seminole County was one of the last counties to emerge from Orange County.
Seminole County was created on April 25, 1913 out of part of the northern portion of Orange County by the Florida Legislature. It was named for the Seminole tribe of Indians. The name "Seminole" is thought to be derived from the Spanish word cimarron, meaning "wild" or "runaway."
Government
The government currently operates under a County Charter originally adopted in 1989 and amended in November, 1994. Policymaking and the legislative authority are vested in the Board of County Commissioners, a five-member board elected to four-year terms in partisan, countywide elections and from single member districts. The Board adopts the County budget, levies property taxes and other fees, and hires the County Manager and County Attorney. In addition to the Board there are five Constitutional Officers who are elected to partisan, four-year terms in accordance with the constitution of the State of Florida.
The Constitutional Officers, Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts, Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, and Supervisor of Elections, maintain separate accounting records and budgets. The Board funds a portion or, in certain instances, all of the operating budgets of the County's Constitutional Officers.
The County provides a full range of services; the construction and maintenance of the County's infrastructure, public safety, recreation, health and human services, and development and protection of the physical and economic environment.
In addition to the County Government described above, there are other political entities which are controlled by the County:
- US 17-92 Community Redevelopment Agency
- Seminole County Expressway Authority
- Fred R. Wilson Memorial Law Library
- Seminole County Port Authority
Principal Officials
Elected
Commissioner, District I - Bob Dallari
Commissioner, District II - Michael McLean
Commissioner, District III - Dick Van Der Weide
Commissioner, District IV - Carlton D. Henley
Commissioner, District V - Brenda Carey
Clerk of the Circuit Court - Maryanne Morse
Sheriff - Donald F. Eslinger
Tax Collector - Ray Valdes
Property Appraiser - David Johnson
Supervisor of Elections - Michael Ertel
Other
Administrative Services Director - Frank Raymond
Assistant County Manager - Sabrina O'Bryan
Community Information Director - Susan Vernon-Devlin
Community Services Director - vacant
County Attorney - Robert A. McMillan
County Engineer - Jerry McCollum
County Manager - Cynthia A. Coto
Deputy County Manager - Joe Forte
Economic Development Director - William McDermott
Environmental Services Director - John Cirello
Finance Director - David C. Godwin, CPA
Fire Chief - Leeanna Raw
Fiscal Services Director - Lisa Spriggs, CPA
Human Resources Director - Janet Davis
Information Technology Services Director - Robert Beach
Leisure Services Director - Joe Abel
Library Services Director - Jane Peterson
Planning & Development Director - Dori DeBord
Public Safety Director - Tad Stone
Public Works Director - Gary Johnson
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 345 square miles (893 km²), of which, 308 square miles (798 km²) of it is land and 37 square miles (95 km²) of it (10.63%) is water.
Seminole County's location between Volusia County and Orange County has made it one of the fastest growing counties in Florida. The Greater Orlando Metropolitan District which includes Seminole, Osceola, and the surrounding counties of Lake and Orange counties, together with neighboring Volusia and Brevard counties create a viable, progressive and diverse setting for economic growth and residential development.
Adjacent counties
- Brevard County, Florida - southeast
- Volusia County, Florida - north/east
- Orange County, Florida - west/south
- Lake County, Florida - west
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 365,196 people, 139,572 households, and 97,281 families residing in the county. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the population of the County has grown to 394,878 by 2003. Current 2008 estimates put the population at more than 407,000. The population density was 1,185 people per square mile (458/km²). There were 147,079 housing units at an average density of 477 per square mile (184/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.41% White, 9.52% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.50% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.06% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. 11.15% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 139,572 households out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.07. The Department of Education states that in 2003, school enrollment was approximately 72,630. As of 2006, the Seminole County School District was the 52nd largest in the nation. 3
2003 school enrollment is 72,630.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 32.00% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $49,326, and the median income for a family was $56,895. Males had a median income of $40,001 versus $28,217 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,591. About 5.10% of families and 7.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.
Because of the massive urban sprawl in the area and outdated and unplanned transit infrastructure, traffic congestion is a growing concern. Fundamentally, the lack of east-west mobility in the area creates severe traffic issues every weekday. Many residents of Seminole County work in Orange County, and those in northern Volusia County commute through Seminole County daily to Orange County.
Economics
Principal Taxpayers
| Taxpayer | Type of Business | Assessed Valuation | Percent of Total Taxable Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial Realty LP | Property Management / Development | $ 217,597,511 | 1.18% |
| Progress Energy Florida, Inc. | Electric Utility | 162,934,377 | .88% |
| BellSouth Telecommunications | Communications | 91,591,862 | .50% |
| Seminole Towne Centre LP | Shopping Mall | 87,867,747 | .48% |
| Altamonte Mall A Jt. Venture | Shopping Mall | 86,903,276 | .47% |
| Sprint Nextel Corp. | Communications | 83,090,520 | .45% |
| Convergys | Call Center Outsourcing | 68,774,402 | .37% |
| United Dominion Realty Tr | Property Management / Development | 61,467,400 | .33% |
| Rouse-Orlando Inc. | Shopping Mall | 60,318,083 | .33% |
Per Capita Income and Unemployment Rate
2003 unemployment rate is 5.4% (national is 6.0%)
Municipalities
Incorporated
- City of Altamonte Springs
- City of Casselberry
- City of Lake Mary
- City of Longwood
- City of Oviedo
- City of Sanford
- City of Winter Springs
City districts and neighborhoods
- Forest City (partly within the City of Altamonte Springs)
- Heathrow (partly within the City of Lake Mary)
- Tuskawilla (partly within the City of Winter Springs)
Unincorporated
- Chuluota
- Fern Park
- Geneva
- Midway
- Wekiva Springs
- Winter Park (incorporated in Orange County however the county line divides some addresses that use "Winter Park" although the city limits are wholly within Orange County)
References
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "National Center for Educations Statistics - 100 Largest School Districts in the United States". Retrieved on 2008-07-31.
External links
- Seminole (County) at the Open Directory Project
- Seminole County Government / Board of County Commissioners
- Seminole County Government / Mosquito Control Program
- Seminole County Business Directory
- Photographs from the State Library & Archives of Florida.
- Visit Seminole County Florida
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